AIG Professional Named in Financial Times’ 100 Leading Ethnic Minority Executives 2016 List

Netsai Mangwende, Head of Finance Business Partnering, UK and Europe, has been ranked 26th out of 100 leading ethnic minority executives in the first UPstanding Executive Power List 2016, published in the Financial Times.

TheUPstanding Executive Power List, published by theFinancial Times, showcases and ranks the Top 100 executive Black and Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) professionals working in the U.S., UK, and Ireland, through a thoughtful nomination and judging process.

An experienced Finance professional, with 11 years' experience in the London insurance market, Netsai joined AIG in 2011 as a Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Manager. She was promoted to Head of UK FP&A within a year of joining AIG, and thereafter promoted to UK Finance Director, until her most recent appointment as Head of Finance Business Partnering, UK and Europe.

"My role is to influence, guide, and monitor AIG's business performance by providing financial insight and advice. Being part of the UK Operating Committee, I'm also responsible for embedding and maintaining a strong operational and governance framework," she says.

In 2014, Netsai was presented with the 'Women in the CityWoman of Achievement Award', and is regularly featured in the media as a leading woman in Finance. A Chartered Accountant by training, Netsai's strong commercial acumen and in-depth understanding of the critical success factors that formulate business strategies has informed the development of new tools and ideas, transforming Finance from a support function to one that genuinely partners the business.

She is well-known for mentoring and inspiring emerging leaders. In February, she co-facilitated a business networking market event jointly hosted by AIG and KPMG, attended by over 100 delegates from blue chip Financial Services organizations including C Suite leaders.Anthony Baldwin, CEO, UK and AIG Europe Limited, andDominic Christian, CEO, Aon, UK, appeared as panelists at the event.

Having jointly set up and led the African & Caribbean Inclusion Group (ACIG) Employee Resource Group (ERG) within our region, Netsai has always been a passionate advocate of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. "Leading the ACIG for a period of time was a truly rewarding and insightful experience. ERGs are a great vehicle for driving employee engagement and laying the foundation for building a diverse workforce. With the wide geographical spread we have within our region, it is important that we internally diversify to mirror our customer base," she says.

Being featured in the prestigious UPstanding Executive Power List has brought further plaudits for Netsai, who has received messages ofcongratulations from AIG's senior leadership, including President and CEO, Peter Hancock, and CFO Sid Sankaran.

Netsai says, "This is a huge honor. The inaugural 'UPstanding Executive Power List' is a ground-breaking reflection and celebration of the incredible work that is being carried out by the BAME business community here and in the United States, and demonstrates the increasing influence and value of our contribution to business and the wider society."